Deploying Commands
Deploying an army correctly to optimise its fighting qualities is a critical skill for any player in DBM. Since version 3.0 increased the depth of deployment, armies now setup closer allowing players to engage more quickly with less space & time for manoeuvring. Hence, deploying properly from the start is now even more important.
Deployment (page 15, para 5)
Both sides then record:
(1) the relative position of their commands from right to left and front to rear,
(2) the flank of arrival of any commands making off-table flank marches,
(3) the position and direction faced of each element of troops deployed in ambush, and whether these ambushers are dismounted.
There is some indecision amongst players as to the correct method for recording deployment. Apart from drawing a map to record ambushes (if used), the rules only imply written orders as being necessary eg. Command A; centre, rear, Command B; right, forward ....... etc. This is not to say a map cant be used to do the same, just not required.
Deployment orders for a typical "3 command" army might use any of the following notation for recording the relative positions of each command (assuming none are flank marching or in ambush);
Once deployment orders have been written, the placement of commands on-table is next. There is still some flexibility as to how each command is place depending where the army is positioned as a whole. Deployment orders only effect how commands are placed to each other, the position of the army as a whole can vary.
Example;
Deployment orders for three commands;Command A - Left/Rear
Command B - Centre
Command C - Right/ForwardAll four illustrated deployments are legal to the orders above, despite the general positon of the army in each being different.
Commands only need to be place correctly relative to each other, so as long as "A" is left and to the rear, and "C" is right and to the front, then deployment orders have been followed correctly.
Note: Ambushes & baggage are not exempt from deployment orders Both must be taken into consideration as part of deploying within the commands they belong to.
